Best Online Colleges in Washington (WA): Top Schools in 2024

Whether you’re a first-time college student or a working professional looking to change careers, an online college in Washington may be the answer.

Staying in Washington for your online degree comes with a number of benefits. Not only can you take advantage of in-state tuition rates and scholarship opportunities, but you also have the option for in-person support — all while maintaining the flexibility of studying online.

Ready to begin your school search? We ranked the best online colleges in Washington to help you find the perfect distance learning program. You’ll also find other helpful resources and information on financial aid, accreditation, costs, and the different ways you can earn your degree online.

2024 Rankings: Best Online Colleges in Washington

The following institutions represent the top colleges in Washington for online learning. These schools offer affordable tuition, strong student resources, generous financial aid opportunities, and a variety of online degree options to choose from. In addition, each school offers valuable student support and career placement services, positively impacting student lives long after graduation. See who stands out in 2024.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools

1
Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Public $$$
Whether you’re studying for your bachelor’s or master’s degree, Washington State University’s (WSU) 100% online programs can help you reach your educational goals. Since 1992, WSU’s global campus has been delivering distance education options to students who prefer a flexible learning experience. These courses are perfect if you’re already working full-time and balancing the demands of a career and family as you earn a degree. The same faculty that leads on-campus classes is responsible for online courses, and students earn the same degree they would in a traditional program. Plus, they can access career and academic advisors, tech support, and e-tutoring resources. Select online courses are offered in accelerated, 7-week formats, making it easy to complete courses in less time than it would take to complete the same work on campus.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $554/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $554/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Master of Science in Agriculture
- Credits: 30
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $636.90/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

16/1
2
Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington

Public $$
If traditional face-to-face education doesn’t fit your needs, Central Washington University (CWU) offers hundreds of undergraduate and graduate online courses each semester. Some degree paths can be completed entirely online, making it convenient to earn a degree from anywhere. CWU’s hybrid programs combine the best of flexible online learning with the benefits of meeting with instructors and peers in person. Thanks to online study, you can complete your degree in less time than it would take via traditional courses. You will earn the same degree as your on-campus peers and receive access to the same educational support, networking opportunities, and professional experience intensives available to all CWU students.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
- Credits: 45-60
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $565.48-$1,703.16/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Bachelor of Arts in Geography
- Credits: 65
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $565.48-$1,703.16/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
MA English: Literary Studies & Teaching Specialization
- Credits: 45
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $804-$1,735.16/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

20/1
3
Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Public $$
Looking for online graduate-level degrees and programs to advance your career prospects in education, business, or healthcare? Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) online programs might be the right fit for you. These programs are conveniently designed to meet the needs of busy working professionals who need more freedom in their study schedules. Courses are delivered entirely online, making it easier to find room for classes and assignments in your life. Six-week course formats make it possible to fast-track your advanced education by earning a degree in as little as 10 months. EWU students are ready for leadership and advanced positions within their chosen field of study after graduation. Whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student, you can take advantage of EWU’s pay-as-you-go tuition structure and affordable rates.
Program Highlights:
Online Master of Business Administration with a Finance Concentration
- Credits: 44
- Length: 10 months
- Cost: $350/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: AACSB
Master of Public Health
- Credits: 60
- Length: 14 months
- Cost: $275/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: CEPH
Master of Education-Literacy
- Credits: 49
- Length: 14 months
- Cost: $275/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: PESB
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

21/1
4
Peninsula College

Port Angeles, Washington

Public $
If you already hold an existing associate in applied science, associate in arts direct transfer agreement, or associate in science degree, you can complete your bachelor’s degree online with Peninsula College. The bachelor of applied science in applied management accepts applicants year-round and can be completed in just two to three years of online study. Low faculty-to-student ratios and fully online course formats mean students can count on the flexibility to study at their pace and have high levels of interaction with professors. As a result, students can have confidence they’re well prepared with the management and supervisory skills necessary for success in corporate leadership roles. After graduation, expect to build your career with advanced management, accounting, project management, or entrepreneurship roles.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management
- Credits: 90
- Length: 2-3 years
- Cost: $257.01-$272.92/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

12/1
5
Renton Technical College

Renton, Washington

Public $
Renton Technical College’s (RTC) online and hybrid programs provide students with multiple degree programs in the fields of healthcare, applied sciences, and business. These flexible online degrees make it possible to advance your educational opportunities from wherever and whenever you choose to study. As you weigh your degree options, you’ll receive support in using RTC’s Guided Pathways degree planning model. Based on your individual interests, advisors will help you identify your ideal courses of study, chart a future career trajectory, and plot the quickest path to graduation day based on your unique needs. RTC’s 66% program completion rate is among the highest in the United States, and 82% of RTC graduates are employed nine months after graduation.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Applied Science-Legal Assistant
- Credits: 93
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $119.13-$135.04/credit
- Mode: Online & hybrid
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Associate of Applied Science-Medical Assistant
- Credits: 90
- Length: 1.5-2 years
- Cost: $119.13-$135.04/credit
- Mode: Hybrid
- Accreditation: MAERB
Application Development-Bachelor of Applied Science
- Credits: 90
- Length: 1.5-2 years
- Cost: $232.26-$248.17/credit
- Mode: Hybrid
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

9/1
6
University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington

Public $$$

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

20/1
7
Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

Public $$

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

18/1
8
Edmonds College

Lynnwood, Washington

Public $

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

14/1
9
Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington

Public $

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

15/1
10
Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, Washington

Public $

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

14/1
11
Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane, Washington

Public $

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

15/1
12
Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington

Private not-for-profit $$$$

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

6/1
13
Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington

Public $

Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

17/1
14
Charter College

Vancouver, Washington

Private for-profit $$$$

Online Programs

9

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

25/1

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools

1
Everett Community College

Everett, Washington

Public $
Everett Community College educates more than 17,000 students every year at several campus locations in Snohomish County, Washington. Most students attend courses at the main campus in north Everett, however the school offers a variety of courses online for students. With several associate degree options, students can affordably start their four-year degrees. Three associate degrees can be earned fully online: Associate of Arts & Sciences — Direct Transfer, Associate in General Studies, and an Associate in Business Direct Transfer. You can also find job training, professional and technical programs, English classes — or even just learn for fun, without the goal of earning a formal degree. The Everett University Center also offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through five partner colleges and university.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Science, Engineering
- Credits: 90
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $118.21/credit
- Mode: Varies
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Associate in Technical Arts, Business Techonology
- Credits: 90
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $118.21/credit
- Mode: Varies
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Associate in Arts and Sciences – Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Early Childhood Education
- Credits: 90
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $118.21/credit
- Mode: Varies
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

14/1
2
Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington

Public $
Several perks come along with studying at Shoreline Community College, including small class sizes, dozens of online courses, and more. The school has more than 20 years of online learning experience and has created reputable programs and resources to support students during their studies. Shoreline offers degrees and certificates in a wide range of academic concentrations, from business and management to healthcare, STEM and more, so you’ll be able to find a specialized course path for your career of choice. SCC also aims to make an education accessible for students, and 75% of students get help with tuition, fees, food, housing, and transportation.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Applied Science, Health Information Technology
- Credits: 96
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $150.18/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Project Management Certificate
- Credits: 15
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $150.18/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Associate of Applied Science, Accounting
- Credits: 90
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $150.18/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Programs

Academic Counseling

Yes

Career Placement

Yes

Student/Faculty Ratio

14/1

Common Online Learning Formats in Washington

Though you may think learning online is pretty straightforward, there are actually several ways programs approach distance education. In some programs you attend classes virtually, but those classes are conducted live and are at specific times on specific days. Other programs have lectures and assignments all set up, and you work through them at your own pace. Certain online programs are designed for working professionals taking classes on a part-time basis, while others are meant to be full-time. When researching online colleges in Washington state, be careful to pick programs that best match your circumstances. Below we’ll explain the formats further to help you decide which is best for you.

Fully Online vs. Hybrid/Blended

A fully-online program is exactly what it sounds like: a program taken entirely online, with no on-campus components at all. However, when looking into the best online colleges in Washington you’ll encounter hybrid or blended options as well. A hybrid course or program means part of the curriculum is taught entirely online and part is taught face-to-face in the classroom. A blended program means online components support the in-person curriculum, though the online portions don’t necessarily replace in-person learning.

In Washington, programs that require hands-on training aren’t usually available online, or, at most, are available in a hybrid format. Programs in the technology field are great candidates for fully-online learning, whereas programs with labs or clinicals may not be available fully-online. With the ever-increasing reach of technology, most colleges in Washington now offer some kind of online option for students. Below are some examples of fully-online and hybrid/blended programs available through accredited online colleges in Washington.

Hybrid MBA at the University of Washington (UW) (Blended/Hybrid)

The hybrid master of business administration (MBA) from UW is 95% online but does require quarterly in-person sessions. It’s a cohort-based program that takes two years to complete and consists of 62 credits. Students are put into groups that last an entire year, helping them learn how to create a great team and how to work together to solve problems. Students attend live synchronous classes each week, typically in the evenings, which are accompanied by live review sessions. The curriculum covers topics such as marketing, finance, operations management, microeconomics, and decision modeling. Students report that they spend 20-30 hours per week on coursework. Students pursuing the degree have access to a career management team that offers support through workshops, speaker series, trainings, and coaching sessions. The total cost for this online college program in Washington is about $90,000 or $15,000 per quarter.

BS in Public Health at Central Washington University (CWU) (Fully-Online)

CWU offers several degrees fully online, one of which is a bachelor’s in public health. Students have the option to enter the fall online cohort, fall on-campus cohort, or winter flex (choice between online and on-campus) cohort. The public health program aims to prepare skilled professionals to protect and promote health and transform the community. Students use inquiry, collaboration, and dissemination to advance health science and learn to apply practical skills to strengthen the region’s public health capacity.

This online college program in Washington consists of 90 credits, not including university general course requirements, and takes about two years to complete. Washington residents pay around $6,500 in tuition per year for this undergraduate degree.

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous

The main difference between asynchronous and synchronous coursework is scheduling. Synchronous coursework means you attend lectures at a certain time with everyone else and you have due dates for assignments. Asynchronous study means you go through the learning material at your own pace and don’t have to stick to a certain schedule apart from the beginning or end of a term. Asynchronous courses are by far the most common at online colleges in Washington. Below we’ll highlight programs that reflect both formats.

BA in Business Administration at Washington State University (WSU) (Asynchronous)

WSU’s online programs are all designed to be asynchronous, allowing students the flexibility of completing their work on their own schedule, wherever they are. The online bachelor’s of business administration with a major in accounting is one such program, and it’s broken up into seven-week courses. Students can take one or two courses at a time, up to four courses per semester. Plus, you can take these in conjunction with typical, 16-week university courses. The accounting curriculum covers management fundamentals, accounting information systems and practices, and critical thinking. This program has earned the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accounting accreditation.

Online students have special access to a $1,000/semester scholarship set aside by WSU’s student government specifically for global campus students. Online students also have access to traditional financial aid and scholarship options.

MBA at Seattle Pacific University (Synchronous)

Few online college programs in Washington state follow a fully synchronous format, but the online programs at Seattle Pacific, such as the MBA degree, have a synchronous component—scheduled online interactions with faculty and fellow students. These meetings typically happen once a week in the evenings. Students pursuing this degree online start during the fall semester and typically stick with their cohort, taking two courses at a time for two years.

The MBA curriculum at Seattle Pacific is made up of 50 credits that are broken into four course clusters. There are also six emphasis areas that students can choose from. Since the MBA program is AACSB-accredited, only transfer credits from other AACSB-accredited programs are accepted.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time

The main difference between studying part-time and full-time is the length of time required to complete your degree and the number of classes you’ll take at one time. Full-time students typically aim for nine or more credits per semester or three separate classes. Part-time attendees usually take one class per semester. Where an online full-time student can complete a master’s degree in as little as ten months to two years, part-time students usually spread their education across a three-to-five-year span. Undergraduate degrees typically are designed for full-time students, whereas graduate degrees are more likely to give students a choice between full- and part-time study since they’re typically geared toward working professionals. Below we spotlight two quality online college programs in Washington that are available part-time or full-time.

Executive Master of Health Administration at UW (Part-Time)

Among the best online colleges in Washington State, the UW executive master of health administration (MHA) is an example of a part-time program that’s available in a hybrid-flexible (HyFlex) format, meaning students have the option of attending their classes in person or online. This program has all-day classes during one weekend (Thursday to Saturday) each month, and students can attend in person or online via UW’s virtual meeting platform. In addition, the program has weekly Tuesday-night webinars.

Students can complete their MHA degree in two years and, at the beginning of each year, are placed on a team with whom they’ll work throughout the year. This allows students to practice their emerging leadership skills. At the end of their second year, students complete a capstone project. The degree requires 69 credits and costs $1,025/credit.

Master of Arts in Addiction Studies at Eastern Washington University (EWU) (Full-Time)

EWU has many online college programs in Washington, and the MA in addiction studies is a great example of a program designed to pursue full-time. This program helps students work toward earning their certifications as Substance Use Disorder Professionals in Washington state. It requires 56 total credits; up to 16 graduate credits can be transferred from a different accredited behavioral health, counseling, psychology, or social work master’s degree program.

Resident graduate students attending EWU pay about $12,750 per year in tuition, with nonresident graduate students paying a little more than double that per year. Full-time graduate students typically take two to three classes per semester (around nine credits).

Accreditation for Online Colleges in Washington

When researching online colleges in Washington, you’ll want to make sure that the ones you consider are properly accredited. This means that the school has been recognized by a regional or national accrediting body as being qualified to teach and award higher education degrees and certificates. Accreditation is critical. It guarantees that you attend a quality program, helps you be eligible for federal and state financial aid, facilitates any necessary credit transfers, and helps you meet certification/licensing requirements, if applicable.

The regional accrediting agency that oversees in-person and online colleges in Washington is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. In most cases, regional accreditation is considered better than national accreditation. In addition, individual programs can also be accredited by program-specific entities. Once you decide on an area of study, be sure to check if it has an individual accrediting body. Several of these individual agencies include the Council on Social Work Education, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Washington Online Colleges: Analyzing Cost

In Washington, undergraduate, full-time, on-campus students can expect to pay around $7,500 in tuition each semester if they attend a public university in their district. Private universities are significantly more expensive and average about $40,800 each year in tuition alone.

Even if you decide to stick to a public university to earn your online college degree in Washington, you might want to consider pursuing an online degree simply because it’s cheaper. Though online degrees may incur a technology fee of some sort, you won’t have to pay other fees, such as facility, transportation, rec center, and healthcare fees.

Besides waived fees, studying online could be cheaper simply because you won’t have to pay for gas or a bus pass to commute to school for class. Your textbooks may be available online so you won’t have to buy a printed version, and you can probably save on housing and food costs by simply living a little—or a lot—outside of the college town. Additionally, if you’re an out-of-state student, many online programs offer out-of-state students special waivers so they pay close to, if not the same amount, as in-state online students.

Below are several colleges across Washington and their corresponding on-campus/online and resident/nonresident tuition rates.

School Name	On-Campus In-State	On-Campus Out-of-State	Online In-State	Online Out-of-State
Washington State University	$12,700/year	$28,384/year	$11,081/year	$12,353/year
University of Washington	$12,242/year	$40,740/year	Varies by program	Varies by program
Central Washington University	$8,444/year	$24,520/year	$8,444/year	$8,444/year
Western Washington University	$8,968/year	$26,873/year	$5,979/year	$17,917/year

* Costs include tuition and required fees of undergraduate programs.

Financial Aid for Washington’s Online Students

One of the main concerns that make future students pause is tuition. How can you possibly afford an accredited online college in Washington, especially if the program you choose requires full-time study? Luckily, you’re not the first to ask that question. Check out some potential financial aid resources to help ease your mind.

Government Aid

You’ve probably heard of FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Do it. Apply for it. Fill it out. That should be your first step, even if you’re going into graduate school or if you don’t think you’ll qualify. There are amazing grants and loan opportunities just waiting to be used. Maybe you won’t need it, but if you qualify it’ll be nice to know it’s at least an option—just in case.

For undocumented students or other students who cannot complete the FAFSA application, Washington state’s government has a separate application, the Washington Application for State Financial Aid that such students can fill out to apply for a financial aid.

School Scholarships

Once you’ve identified your chosen school and program, dive into the financial aid resources, such as the financial aid page on WSU’s website. Your Washington online college will have links to school-wide scholarships, like this scholarships page from UW, and your chosen program may have program-specific scholarships and grant programs that are worth looking into.

Private Scholarships

There are many organizations that offer scholarships or grants to students across the United States, and others that offer scholarships and grants specifically to students attending accredited online colleges in Washington. Below are websites that have lists of scholarships you can apply for.

Gear Up – Washington State
Independent Colleges of Washington Scholarships
Scholarships.com
Seattle Foundation Scholarships
Washington Farm Bureau Scholarships
Washington Opportunity Grant Program
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
Washington Student Achievement Council – College Bound Scholarship

Thriving College-Level Careers in Washington

If you’re a potential online college student in Washington state and you’re still not sure what degree or field of work you want to go into, maybe it’ll help to know which career fields are in high demand in your area. We’ve listed the top-growing career fields in Washington for you to consider.

Career	Job Growth (2020-2030)	Annual Mean Wage (2021)
Nurse Practitioners	51.3%	$130,840
Information Security Analysts	48.3%	$123,550
Multimedia Artists and Animators	47%	$96,860
Chiropractors	44.4%	$93,120
Occupational Therapy Assistants	44.3%	$65,050
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	43.2%	$93,210
Optometrists	39.9%	$125,180
Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers	39.4%	$101,920
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons	39.3%	$208,000+
Film and Video Editors	38.8%	$74,380

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Projections Central

Additional Resources for Online College Students in Washington State

Academic Success and Career Center at WSU

Helps students be successful, whether it’s through academic advising, career coaching, career skill building, and internship/job searches.

College Spark Washington

An entity that supports the postsecondary goals of students through grantmaking that’s focused on dismantling racism in the education system.

College Success Foundation

A foundation dedicated to supporting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds across Washington state, offering scholarships, financial aid, and partnerships.

Partnership for Learning

Brings together business leaders and educators to support college and career readiness in Washington.

Washington Student Achievement Council

A cabinet-level state agency that works to raise educational attainment through strategic engagement, program management, and partnerships.